Container construction

ABSTRACT

A container having a base, walls and a top, and wherein the walls are removably attachable to the base and to each other, providing a reusable knockdown container, the top being removably received by the walls.

United States Patent 1,648,591 11/1927 Repay Inventor Brian I-Iambleton ialos Verdes, Calif.

Appl. No. 826,801

Filed May 22, 1969 Patented June 29, 1971 Assignee Irvin Industries, Inc.

Lexington, Ky.

CONTAINER CONSTRUCTION 7 Claims, 20 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 220/ 1.5 R, 220/4 Int. Cl 865d 7/00 Field of Search 220/1.5, 4,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Andrews Swank r.

Rosenberg Schmidt Pilette, Jr. Creveling Krellen Turpen FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Primary ExaminerRaphael H. Schwartz Attorney-Rommel and Romrnel 217/43 A 217/12 52/530X 220/1.5 X 220/1.5

ABSTRACT: A container having a base, walls and a top, and wherein the walls are removably attachable to the base and to each other, providing a reusable knockdown container, the top being removably received by the walls.

PATENTEU JUNZQIB?! 3. 5891547 sum 5 [IF 5 WMW PATENTEU JUNZS lsza SHEET 5 OF 5 CONTAINER CONSTRUCTION In the construction of shipping containers, it is frequently desirable to provide a rigid container that may be shipped full of goods to a destination, where the goods will be removed, and the container disassembled and shipped back to the point of origin in a condition in which it takes up substantially less space than if it were fully assembledfln previous knockdown containers of this type, their construction has been such that they can be reused only once or twice. The primary object of this invention is therefore the provision of a knockdown container which is reusable over and over.

A further object is the provision of a knockdown container having a base, walls and a top, and wherein the same may be disassembled to provide a compact package for shipping purposes.

A further object is the provision of a container having wall portions, a base and a top, and wherein the walls are removably attachable to the base and to each other in providing a reusable knockdown container.

A further object is the provision of an improved construction for securing the wall portions of a container to the base thereof.

A further object is the provision of an improved construction for attachment of the wall portions of a container to each other.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, and in which drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of my improved container construction when fully assembled.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the base of my improved container.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the base.

FIG. 4 is an outside view of an end wall portion of my improved container.

FIG. 5 is an inside view of an end wall portion.

FIG. 6 is an outside view of a sidewall portion of my improved container. V

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on the line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view taken substantially on the line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an inside view of a sidewall of my improved container.

FIG. 10 is an inside view of the top of my improved container.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on the line 11-11 ofFlG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the end wall portions attached to the base.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line 13-13 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing attachment of a sidewall portion to the end wall portions which are already attached to the base portion.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the end wall portions attached to the base and the sidewall portions attached to the end wall portions.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line 16-16 of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged perspective view of a top corner showing a sidewall portion attached to an end wall portion.

FIG. 18 is an exploded fragmentary perspective view show ing the relationship of the lower comer of a sidewall portion as it is attached'to an end wall portion and in abutment with the base.

FIG. 19 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line 19-19 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing the container in a knockdown condition.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, and wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the letter A may designate my improved container construction, which may include a base B, wall means C which may include a pair of end wall portions D and a pair of sidewall portions E, and a top closure F.

Base B is preferably of polygonal shape having a bottom portion 25 provided with an upstanding peripheral flange 26 thereabout, opposed ends of flange 26 being provided with an intumed lip 27 which extends from flange 26 and over bottom portion 25 in a spaced-apart relation with respect thereto. Inturned lips 27 form a part of means for releasable attaching of end wall portions D to base B, as will be subsequently described.

The undersurface of bottom portion 25 may be provided with a plurality of spaced-apart channel members 30. Channel members 30 define spaced-apart passageways 31 for receiving the tines of a forklift truck. Thus, in the event that the container does not contain a balanced load, the tines of the forklift truck being received within passageways 31 prevent the container from slipping sideways off of the forklift truck.

Each end wall portion D preferably includes a main body portion 35 having an upper substantially channel-shaped edge portion 36, side edge portions 37, and a lower substantially channel-shaped edge portion 38. Main body portion 35 preferably includes a plurality of exteriorly extending vertical corrugations 40. Corrugations 40 terminate at their lower ends in a spaced-apart position from lower edge portion 38 to define slot means 42, as is shown in FIG. 13. Lower edge portion 38 is preferably of a dimension to be tightly received between bottom portion 25 and intumed lip 27 of base B, intumed lip 27 being received within slot means 42 in attachment of end wall portions D to base B in a freestanding relationship, as shown in FIG. 12.

The interior of main body portion 35 of end wall portions D may be provided with crisscross reinforcing strips 43.

Side edge portions 37 of each end wall portion D are of a somewhat channel-shaped configuration which define a female socket means 45, as shown in FIG. 16. Approximately the central third of the inner wall 46 and outer wall 47 of each side edge portion 37 is cut away, as at 48, to provide an opening for receiving a portion of the mating male socket means of a sidewall portion E, as will be subsequently described. The ends of upper edge portion 36 are cutaway, as at 50, as shown in FIG. 17, to provide ready access from the top into female socket means 45, for a purpose as will be subsequently described. Lower edge portion 38 extends across the lowermost end of female socket means 45, as shown in FIG. 18.

Each sidewall portion E preferably includes a main body portion 55 having an upper edge 56, side edge portions 57, and a lower edge 58. Main body portion 55 preferably includes a plurality of exteriorly extending vertical corrugations 60. The interior of main body portion 55 may be provided with crisscross reinforcing strips 61.

Side edge portions 57 of each sidewall portion E are preferably of a somewhat U-shaped configuration to provide a male socket means 63 which may be received within female socket means 45, as shown in FIG. 16. Approximately the central third of each male socket means 63 is cut away, as at 65, to provide an opening for receiving a portion of the female socket means 45 of end wall portions D, as will be subsequently described.

The lowermost ends of each side edge portion 57 are terminated short of lower edge 58, providing an offset portion 66, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 13. If offset portion 66 were not provided, then the lowermost ends of edges 57 would interfere with proper positioning of sidewall portions E with respect to end portions D when the same were interfitted together.

Upper edge 56 of each sidewall portion E may be provided with a slot 63, for a purpose as will be subsequently described. Upper edge 56 of each sidewall portion E may also be provided with an internally extending flange portion 69 upon which top closure F may rest, as shown in FIG. 19.

Top closure F is preferably of a polygonal shape, designed to fit over the end walls and sidewalls, and includes a main body portion 70 provided with an intumed peripheral flange 71 extending thereabout. Main body portion 70 may be provided with a plurality of corrugations 72. Top closure F is preferably provided with a plurality of slots 74 which register with slots 68 of sidewall portions E, as shown in FIG. 19, and through which slots a strap or other connector may be attached for interconnecting top closure F to sidewall portions E. Also, as shown in FIG. 19, peripheral flange 71 of top closure F is received about the exterior of the wall portions of the container.

As shown in FIG. 20, the container may be completely disassembled for shipping purposes, to provide a compact package.

In erecting the container from its disassembled position, the parts are first separated, base B being positioned with channel members 30 resting on the ground. End wall portions D are then erected, lower edge portions 38 thereof being received within the space defined between lip 27 and main body por tion 25 of base B, with intumed lip 27 interfitting within slot means 42 of each end wall D, to provide free standing end wall portions, as shown in FIG. 12.

In interconnection of a sidewall portion E to end wall portions D, sidewall portion E is raised, as shown in FIG. 14, so that the lower third of male socket means 63 of the sidewall portion E registers with openings 48 provided intcrmedially of end wall portions D, the upper third of male socket means 63 extending above cutaway portion of each end wall portion D, and male socket means 63 are then inserted and slidably interfitted within female socket means 45, sidewall portion E being pushed downwardly so that lower edge 58 thereof is in abutment with bottom portion 25 of base B.

The other sidewall portion E is attached to sidewall portions D in a like manner, to provide a container as shown in FIG. 15.

After the container has been packed, top closure F is applied thereto, providing a rigid container as is shown in FIG. 1.

Various changes may be made in the form of the invention herein shown and described without departing from the spirit of the invention.

lclaim:

I. A container including a base, a pair of end wall portions and a pair of sidewall portions, means for releasable attachment of at least one pair of said wall portions to said base, the side edges of one pair of said wall portions including male socket means and the side edge of the other pair of said wall portions including female socket means for receiving said male socket means in attachment together of said wall portions, said male socket means each comprising a substantially U-shaped member extending longitudinally along substantially the upper and lower thirds of the edge of a wall portion, and said female socket means each comprise a substantially U- shaped member extending along substantially the upper and lowerthirds of the edge of a wall portion, the upper end of the channel formed by said female socket means being open and the lower end thereof closed, said lower third of each said male socket means being received intermediate the upper and lower thirds of said female socket with the upper third of said male socket means above said open end of said female socket means and said male socket means being slidably inserted within said female socket means.

2. A container as specified in claim 1 wherein said lower edge of the side edges of said wall portions having said male socket means terminate short of the lower edge of said wall portions to provide an offset lower side edge to accommodate said closed lower end of said female socket means.

3. A container as specified in claim 1 wherein the same includes a top closure having depending side portions interfitting over said wall means, said top closure including spaced slots and said wall means include spaced slots registered with said spaced slots of said top closure for attaching said top closure to said wall means.

4. A container having a polygonal base including a bottom portion having an upstanding flange extending peripherally thereof, opposed sides of said flange including an rnturned lip extending over and in spaced-apart relation from said bottom portion; and wall means, said wall means including a pair of end wall portions and a pair of sidewall portions, each of one said pair of wall portions including an upper portion and a substantially channel-shaped lower portion which is slightly wider than the space between said intumed lip and said bottom portion of said base, said upper portion including a portion terminating in a spaced-apart position from said channel-shaped lower portion to define slot means, said pair of wall portions having said upper and lower portions being interconnected to said base with said channel-shaped lower portion tightly received in the space between said inturned lip and bottom portion of said base and said inturned lip received by said slot means, and said other pair of wall portions being interconnected to said pair of wall portions having said upper and lower portions.

5. A container as specified in claim 4 including a top closure having depending side portions interfitting over said wall means and means for attachment of said top closure to said wall means.

6. A container having a polygonal base including a bottom portion having an upstanding flange extending peripherally thereof, opposed sides of said flange including an inturned lip extending over and in spaced-apart relation from said bottom portion; and wall means, said wall means including a pair of end wall portions and a pair of sidewall portions, said end wall portions of said wall means having a substantially corrugated main surface area with the corrugations thereof extending substantially vertical, and a substantially channel-shaped lower edge portion which is slightly wider than the space between said inturned lip and the bottom portion of said base, the lower end of exteriorly extending corrugations of said main surface area terminating in a spaced-apart position from said channel-shaped lower edge to provide slot means, said lower edge portion of said end wall portions being tightly received in the space between said inturned lip and bottom portion of said base with said inturned lip being received by said slot means.

7. A container as specified in claim 6 including a top closure having depending side portions interfitting over said wall means and means for attachment of said top closure to said wall means. 

1. A container including a base, a pair of end wall portions and a pair of sidewall portions, means for releasable attachment of at least one pair of said wall portions to said base, the side edges of one pair of said wall portions including male socket means and the side edge of the other pair of said wall portions including female socket means for receiving said male socket means in attachment together of said wall portions, said male socket means each comprising a substantially U-shaped member extending longitudinally along substantially the upper and lower thirds of the edge of a wall portion, and said female socket means each comprise a substantially U-shaped member extending along substantially the upper and lower thirds of the edge of a wall portion, the upper end of the channel formed by said female socket means being open and the lower end thereof closed, said lower third of each said male socket means being received intermediate the upper and lower thirds of said female socket with the upper third of said male socket means above said open end of said female socket means and said male socket means being slidably inserted within said female socket means.
 2. A container as specified in claim 1 wherein said lower edge of the side edges of said wall portions having said male socket means terminate short of the lower edge of said wall portions to provide an offset lower side edge to accommodate said closed lower end of said female socket means.
 3. A container as specified in claim 1 wherein the same includes a top closure having depending side portions interfitting over said wall means, said top closure including spaced slots and said wall means include spaced slots registered with said spaced slots of said top closure for attaching said top closure to said wall means.
 4. A container having a polygonal base including a bottom portion having an upstanding flange extending peripherally thereof, opposed sides of said flange including an inturned lip extending over and in spaced-apart relation from said bottom portion; and wall means, said wall means including a pair of end wall portions and a pair of sidewall portions, each of one said pair of wall portions including an upper portion and a substantially channel-shaped lower portion which is slightly wider than the space between said inturned lip and said bottom portion of said base, said upper portion including a portion terminating in a spaced-apart position from said channel-shaped lower portion to define slot means, said pair of wall portions having said upper and lower portions being interconnected to said base with said channel-shaped lower portion tightly received in the space between said inturned lip and bottom portion of said base and said inturned lip received by said slot means, and said other pair of wall portions being interconnected to said pair of wall portions having said upper and lower portions.
 5. A container as specified in claim 4 including a top closure having depending side portions interfitting over said wall means and means for attachment of said top closure to said wall means.
 6. A container having a polygonal base including a bottom portion having an upstanding flange extending peripherally thereof, opposed sides of said flange including an inturned lip extending over and in spaced-apart relation from said bottom portion; and wall means, said wall means including a pair of end wall portions and a pair of sidewall portions, said end wall portions of said wall means having a substantially corrugated main surface area with the corrugations thereof extending substantially vertical, and a substantially channel-shaped lower edge portion which is slightly wider than the space between said inturned lip and the bottom portion of said base, the lower end of exteriorly extending corrugations of said main surface area terminating in a spaced-apart position from said channel-shaped lower edge to provide slot means, said lower edge portion of said end wall portions being tightly received in the space between said inturned lip and bottom portion of said base with said inturned lip being received by said slot means.
 7. A container as specified in claim 6 including a top closure having depending side portions interfitting over said wall means and means for attachment of said top closure to said wall means. 